Scholarship in France: Ultimate Guide for 2026-27

Finding the right scholarship in France can significantly reduce the cost of studying at a French university, Grandes École or specialised institution. However, there is no single national scholarship that automatically covers every international student.

Funding in France comes from several sources, including the French government, European Union programmes, French embassies, universities, business schools, regional authorities, foundations and international organisations. Campus France maintains a dedicated scholarship database specifically to help international students search these opportunities by nationality, study level and subject.

Major options in 2026 include the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, France Excellence Charpak for Indian students, university awards such as the Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship and institution-specific tuition awards.

This guide explains who can apply, what each scholarship covers, current 2026 application status and how to build a stronger funding strategy.

Key Takeaways

• • France offers government, European, university, embassy and private scholarships.

• • There is no single scholarship available to every international student.

• • The France Excellence Eiffel programme targets eligible master’s, engineering and doctoral students.

• • From January 2026, Eiffel master’s recipients receive approximately €1,200 per month plus selected additional services.

• • Erasmus Mundus can provide full scholarships for selected international joint master’s programmes.

• • France Excellence Charpak is one of the main French government scholarship routes for Indian students.

• • Université Paris-Saclay offers international master’s funding of approximately €10,000 per year plus up to approximately €900 toward travel and visa costs.

• • Sciences Po’s Émile Boutmy Scholarship can provide substantial tuition exemptions to eligible non-EU students.

• • Scholarship deadlines may occur months before university classes begin.

• • Some 2026 scholarship rounds have already closed, so students targeting later intakes should monitor the next application cycle.

What Scholarships Are Available in France in 2026?

International students can find financial support from several different sources.

The main categories are:

• • French government scholarships;

• • French embassy scholarships;

• • European Union scholarships;

• • university scholarships;

• • tuition fee exemptions;

• • regional authority funding;

• • doctoral contracts;

• • research grants;

• • company and foundation scholarships;

• • country-specific bilateral programmes.

Campus France specifically recommends its Campus Bourses database because it brings together funding offered by governments, local authorities, companies, foundations and French higher education institutions.

This means students should avoid searching only for phrases such as fully funded scholarship in France. Many valuable awards are partial scholarships, tuition exemptions or living-cost grants rather than packages covering every expense.

Top Scholarships in France for International Students

France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship

The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is one of France’s best-known government scholarship programmes for international students.

It supports selected students entering eligible:

• • master’s programmes;

• • engineering programmes;

• • doctoral programmes.

Fields covered include areas within science and technology as well as humanities and social sciences, including engineering, mathematics and digital studies, ecological transition, health, law, political science, economics and management.

At master’s level, recipients receive approximately €1,200 per month from January 2026.

Additional support can include services related to:

• • international travel;

• • transportation within France;

• • insurance;

• • accommodation search;

• • cultural activities.

One of the most important things to understand is that students cannot apply directly to Campus France for Eiffel.

A French higher education institution must:

1. 1. select the candidate;

1. 1. support the application;

1. 1. submit the application to Campus France.

Applications submitted directly by students are not accepted.

The Eiffel programme itself should also not be described as automatically paying all tuition fees. French government scholarship holders pursuing qualifying national degrees at eligible public institutions may receive registration-fee exemptions, but other programme costs, particularly at private institutions, may remain payable.

For the 2026–2027 intake, many institutional nomination rounds are already closed. Université Paris-Saclay, for example, confirms that its 2026 Eiffel application call has ended.

Students targeting the next intake should contact their chosen institution early because internal university deadlines can occur before the national Campus France submission deadline.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programmes delivered by consortia of universities across several countries.

Students from anywhere in the world can apply.

The strongest candidates may receive full scholarships that cover programme participation costs and contribute toward:

• • travel;

• • visa costs;

• • living expenses.

An Erasmus Mundus master’s normally lasts one to two academic years and may award 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.

Students usually study at multiple universities, which means a programme involving a French institution may also require study in another European or partner country.

Applications are submitted directly to the consortium managing the individual Erasmus Mundus programme.

For many programmes, applications are typically submitted between October and January for study beginning in the following academic year.

This makes September a useful time to begin preparing for the next Erasmus Mundus application cycle.

France Excellence Europa Scholarship

The France Excellence Europa programme is designed for students from participating European Union countries who want to pursue master’s-level study in France.

It is not a general scholarship for all international students.

The programme currently covers eligible students from 26 EU countries outside France.

Current scholarship-holder benefits include approximately:

• • €6,850 per semester as a maintenance allowance;

• • €1,700 as an installation allowance;

• • registration-fee exemption for qualifying national degrees at eligible public institutions;

• • CVEC exemption;

• • assistance with CROUS accommodation searches;

• • selected insurance support.

The scholarship can normally support up to approximately 12 months for an M2 student or 24 months for an M1 student under the applicable programme rules.

Students should check the current application call carefully because programme eligibility and annual deadlines can change between academic cycles.

France Excellence Charpak Scholarship

For Indian students, France Excellence Charpak is one of the most important scholarship programmes to research.

It is the French government’s scholarship programme in India and has several categories, including:

• • bachelor’s study;

• • master’s study;

• • exchange programmes;

• • summer research or training.

The Charpak Master’s Scholarship supports eligible Indian citizens and OCI card holders pursuing a full-time master’s degree in France.

Current benefits include approximately:

• • €860 per month as a living allowance;

• • France student visa fee exemption when applying from India;

• • Campus France procedure fee exemption;

• • health insurance support;

• • assistance in finding affordable accommodation;

• • access to discounted university restaurant meals.

The programme generally targets applicants aged 30 or younger at the time of application and requires students to have applied to a French higher education institution.

For the 2026 Charpak Master’s Scholarship, selections have already been finalised and successful applicants have been informed.

Indian students targeting a future intake should monitor Campus France India for the next call instead of relying on previous-year deadlines.

The Charpak Bachelor programme also exists, although Campus France India states that applications are not being accepted for the 2026 session.

Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship

Université Paris-Saclay offers one of the notable university-level scholarships for international master’s students.

For the 2026 programme, eligible international students could receive approximately:

• • €10,000 per academic year;

• • up to approximately €900 per year toward travel and visa expenses.

The programme generally targets international students:

• • admitted to an eligible Paris-Saclay master’s;

• • entering French higher education for the first time, subject to stated exceptions;

• • under 30 during the application year.

Students cannot simply submit an unsolicited scholarship application.

They must first apply for and obtain admission to an eligible master’s programme. Programme coordinators then select candidates who may proceed with the scholarship application.

For the 2026 cycle:

• • programme coordinators selected candidates by 25 March 2026;

• • scholarship applications were due by 31 March 2026;

• • results were scheduled for mid-May.

The 2026 round has therefore already concluded.

Sciences Po Émile Boutmy Scholarship

The Émile Boutmy Scholarship is offered by Sciences Po to selected international students from outside the European Union.

Eligible candidates must generally be first-time Sciences Po applicants from non-EU countries whose household does not file taxes inside the European Union.

At master’s level, the current scholarship provides a tuition-fee exemption of approximately €18,500 per year for each of the two years of an eligible master’s programme.

At undergraduate level, support may consist of a full tuition exemption or an exemption of approximately €9,500, depending on the award.

Students must apply as part of the Sciences Po admission process. It is not a standalone scholarship available without applying to an eligible Sciences Po degree.

Not all programmes qualify, so applicants should carefully check exclusions before relying on the scholarship.

Other University, Embassy and Regional Scholarships

The major scholarships above are not the only ways to fund study in France.

Campus France states that funding may also be offered by:

• • French embassies;

• • French universities;

• • regional and municipal authorities;

• • public research bodies;

• • doctoral schools;

• • private companies;

• • foundations;

• • foreign governments.

Many French institutions run their own international scholarships.

Some awards are automatically considered during admission, while others require a separate application.

Students should therefore check both the university’s Admissions page and its Scholarships / Funding / Financial Aid pages.

Scholarships in France by Study Level

Bachelor’s Scholarships

Bachelor’s-level funding is generally less centralised than master’s funding, but opportunities do exist.

Relevant examples include:

• • Émile Boutmy Scholarship at Sciences Po;

• • France Excellence Major for eligible international graduates of French secondary schools abroad;

• • university-specific merit awards;

• • embassy scholarships;

• • France Excellence Charpak Bachelor for eligible Indian students when the programme is open.

Campus France notes that France Excellence Major is specifically designed for selected high-achieving foreign students graduating from French schools abroad.

Students should not assume that Eiffel is available for bachelor’s programmes. Eiffel targets master’s, engineering and doctoral levels.

Master’s Scholarships

Master’s students have the broadest range of major international scholarship programmes.

Important options include:

• • France Excellence Eiffel;

• • Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters;

• • France Excellence Europa;

• • France Excellence Charpak;

• • Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship;

• • Émile Boutmy;

• • institution-specific merit scholarships;

• • French embassy awards.

PhD and Research Funding

Doctoral funding works differently from most undergraduate or master’s scholarships.

International PhD students may find funding through:

• • France Excellence Eiffel doctoral awards;

• • doctoral contracts;

• • research laboratories;

• • doctoral schools;

• • public research institutions;

• • European programmes;

• • Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral networks;

• • bilateral research programmes.

Campus France specifically notes that doctoral contracts and public research organisations can finance international doctoral research.

Students pursuing a PhD should therefore search for both scholarships and funded doctoral positions.

Scholarships in France for Indian Students

Indian students have access to both global scholarship programmes and India-specific funding.

The most relevant options include:

Scholarship	Level	Main Target Group	Approximate Funding/Benefit
France Excellence Charpak Master	Master’s	Indian citizens/OCI	~€860/month plus selected benefits
Charpak Exchange	Bachelor’s/Master’s exchange	Indian students in eligible exchange partnerships	~€860/month plus selected benefits
Eiffel Scholarship	Master’s/PhD	High-performing international students nominated by French institutions	~€1,200/month at master’s level plus selected services
Erasmus Mundus	Master’s	International applicants	Full scholarships available on selected programmes
Paris-Saclay International Scholarship	Master’s	Selected international students	~€10,000/year + up to ~€900 travel/visa
Émile Boutmy	Bachelor’s/Master’s	Eligible non-EU Sciences Po applicants	Tuition exemptions

The Charpak Exchange Scholarship currently provides approximately €860 per month, along with benefits such as student visa and Campus France fee waivers for eligible awardees.

Indian students should also explore university-specific scholarships rather than limiting their search to Charpak.

How Much Can a Scholarship in France Cover?

The term scholarship can describe very different types of support.

A scholarship may cover:

Funding Type	What It Can Mean
Tuition scholarship	Full or partial reduction of tuition
Living allowance	Monthly or semester-based payment
Travel support	Partial or full travel contribution
Visa support	Visa fee waiver or contribution
Accommodation support	Housing assistance or priority access
Insurance	Health or travel insurance support
Registration exemption	Exemption from certain public university administrative fees
Research funding	Salary, contract or doctoral research funding

A scholarship described as fully funded should therefore be checked carefully.

For example, Erasmus Mundus states that full scholarships may cover programme participation and contribute to travel, visa and living costs.

Eiffel, by contrast, provides a significant living allowance and additional services, but the programme itself does not automatically pay every tuition or programme cost.

Always read the award conditions rather than relying on the phrase fully funded.

Who Is Eligible for Scholarships in France?

There is no universal scholarship eligibility rule.

Different programmes may consider:

• • nationality;

• • age;

• • academic performance;

• • degree level;

• • field of study;

• • university admission;

• • previous study in France;

• • professional experience;

• • research potential;

• • financial circumstances;

• • motivation;

• • leadership;

• • language ability.

Some schemes also restrict whether applicants can hold another scholarship at the same time.

For example, the Paris-Saclay international master’s scholarship cannot normally be combined with Eiffel, France Excellence Europa or Erasmus Mundus funding.

Charpak can also be withdrawn if an awardee receives another incompatible French-government or Erasmus scholarship.

This makes it important to check funding compatibility, not just individual scholarship eligibility.

How to Find Scholarships Using Campus Bourses

Campus France operates Campus Bourses, a dedicated scholarship search tool for international students and researchers.

It allows students to filter funding according to factors such as:

• • nationality;

• • study level;

• • field;

• • type of funding;

• • scholarship provider.

The database includes opportunities funded by governments, regional authorities, universities, foundations, companies and other organisations.

A practical strategy is to search Campus Bourses before finalising your university shortlist.

A programme offering slightly higher tuition but substantial institutional funding may ultimately cost less than a university that initially appears cheaper.

How to Apply for a Scholarship in France

Step 1: Choose Your Programme First

Many French scholarships require students to either:

• • already have admission; or

• • have submitted an application to an eligible French institution.

Start by shortlisting courses that match your academic and career goals.

Do not select a weak programme solely because a scholarship exists.

Step 2: Identify Scholarships Matching Your Profile

Filter opportunities according to:

• • nationality;

• • degree level;

• • academic field;

• • age;

• • target institution.

This prevents wasting time on scholarships for which you are clearly ineligible.

Step 3: Check Whether Separate Applications Are Required

Scholarship procedures differ dramatically.

For example:

• • Eiffel requires institutional nomination;

• • Erasmus Mundus applications go directly to the programme consortium;

• • Paris-Saclay candidates are selected after applying for admission;

• • Émile Boutmy is connected to the Sciences Po application;

• • Charpak uses a separate scholarship application process.

Understanding the process early is essential.

Step 4: Prepare a Strong Scholarship File

A competitive application usually needs a consistent story connecting:

past academics → chosen programme → future goal

Your motivation letter should explain:

• • why you chose the subject;

• • why France is academically relevant;

• • why the institution fits your plan;

• • what you have already achieved;

• • what you plan to do after graduation.

Avoid vague statements about wanting international exposure without showing how the degree fits your academic or professional development.

Step 5: Apply Before the Scholarship Deadline

Do not assume the university admission deadline and scholarship deadline are the same.

A scholarship deadline can occur considerably earlier.

Eiffel is particularly important in this respect because the university needs time to evaluate and nominate candidates before submitting them to Campus France.

Step 6: Track Results and Funding Conditions

If selected, read the scholarship award letter carefully.

Check:

• • funding period;

• • payment schedule;

• • tuition coverage;

• • insurance;

• • travel support;

• • accommodation support;

• • academic performance requirements;

• • whether internships or exchanges affect funding;

• • whether the scholarship can be combined with another award.

Documents Commonly Required for Scholarship Applications

Depending on the programme, applicants may need:

• • passport;

• • CV;

• • academic transcripts;

• • degree certificates;

• • admission letter or proof of application;

• • statement of purpose;

• • scholarship motivation letter;

• • recommendation letters;

• • language certificates;

• • research proposal for doctoral applicants;

• • employment or internship documents;

• • proof of financial circumstances where relevant;

• • programme-specific forms.

Charpak, for example, considers academic performance, overall profile, the consistency of the study plan and the quality of the statement of purpose.

Every scholarship uses different evaluation criteria, so one generic application should not be reused unchanged.

Scholarship Deadlines and 2026 Application Status

As of 17 September 2026, several major 2026 scholarship cycles have already finished.

Scholarship	2026 Status / Timing
Eiffel 2026–27	Many institutional nomination rounds closed
Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship	2026 applications closed on 31 March; results scheduled in May
Charpak Master’s 2026	Selection completed
Charpak Bachelor 2026	Campus France India states applications are not accepted for the 2026 session
Erasmus Mundus	Many next-intake applications usually open around October and run until approximately January
Émile Boutmy	Application follows the relevant Sciences Po admission calendar

If you are beginning your search in late 2026, focus on programmes opening for the 2027 intake rather than attempting to use expired 2026 deadlines.

Scholarship vs Tuition Fee Exemption in France

A scholarship and a tuition exemption are not always the same thing.

A scholarship may provide cash support, monthly living expenses or travel funding.

A tuition exemption reduces or eliminates part of the university’s registration or tuition fee.

Some students receive both.

French government scholarship holders studying for qualifying national degrees at eligible public institutions can benefit from registration-fee exemptions under French higher education rules.

However, this does not mean all programme fees at every private university, Grande École or business school disappear.

Students should always ask:

• • Is the award a cash scholarship?

• • Is tuition included?

• • Does it cover only public registration fees?

• • Are private-school programme charges excluded?

This distinction can change the real value of an award significantly.

Does a Scholarship Affect the France Student Visa Process?

A scholarship can strengthen the financial documentation in a student visa application, but it does not guarantee visa approval.

Students must still meet the applicable France student visa requirements.

For long-stay student visa applications submitted from 1 August 2026, the financial-resource requirement is approximately €877.50 per month.

A scholarship letter can be relevant evidence when demonstrating available financial resources, depending on its value and conditions.

If the scholarship does not cover the required amount or all living costs, additional financial evidence may still be necessary.

University admission and scholarship selection are also separate from the immigration decision.

How to Improve Your Scholarship Application

Strong scholarship applications usually demonstrate more than high grades.

Focus on:

1. • Academic consistency: Show that your past studies prepare you for the proposed programme.

1. • Clear career direction: Explain what you plan to do with the degree.

1. • Programme-specific motivation: Avoid sending the same statement to every scholarship.

1. • Evidence of achievement: Include relevant research, internships, competitions, projects, volunteering or leadership.

1. • Strong recommendations: Choose referees who can provide specific evidence about your abilities.

1. • Early preparation: Scholarship applications often require documents that take time to collect.

1. • Accurate documentation: Make sure dates, marks, institution names and personal details match throughout the application.

1. • Good writing: Scholarship committees should be able to understand your goals quickly.

1. • Realistic funding planning: Show that you understand what the scholarship does and does not cover.

1. • Deadline discipline: A strong application submitted after the deadline is usually irrelevant.

Common Scholarship Mistakes to Avoid

Common mistakes include:

• • applying without checking nationality restrictions;

• • confusing university admission with scholarship selection;

• • assuming all scholarships cover full tuition;

• • waiting for admission before checking scholarship deadlines;

• • sending generic motivation letters;

• • exaggerating achievements;

• • submitting incomplete documents;

• • ignoring age limits;

• • ignoring incompatible scholarship rules;

• • missing university nomination procedures;

• • using expired 2025 or early-2026 deadlines;

• • budgeting as if scholarship selection were guaranteed.

Scholarships are competitive. Students should maintain a realistic backup financial plan even when applying for several awards.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can international students get a scholarship in France?

Yes. International students can apply for French government, embassy, EU, university, regional and private scholarships.

Eligibility depends on nationality, programme, academic level and the individual scholarship.

Which is the best scholarship in France for international students?

There is no single best option.

For master’s students, Eiffel and Erasmus Mundus are major schemes. Indian students can also consider Charpak, while individual universities such as Université Paris-Saclay and Sciences Po offer significant institutional funding.

Is the Eiffel Scholarship fully funded?

Eiffel provides a substantial living allowance and selected services. At master’s level, the current allowance is approximately €1,200 per month.

However, the Eiffel programme itself does not automatically cover every tuition or programme charge, so students should verify the exact fee policy of their institution.

Are there scholarships in France for Indian students?

Yes.

France Excellence Charpak is specifically designed for eligible Indian students, while Indian students may also apply for programmes such as Eiffel, Erasmus Mundus and university scholarships when they meet the conditions.

Can I get a scholarship in France without IELTS?

Possibly.

Scholarship and university language requirements are separate. A scholarship may not specifically require IELTS, but the university may require IELTS, TOEFL, French proficiency or another accepted form of language evidence.

Can I get a 100% scholarship to study in France?

Some programmes can cover most major costs, and Erasmus Mundus offers full scholarships for selected students.

However, the term 100% scholarship should be used cautiously because coverage differs. Students should verify tuition, living costs, travel, visa expenses and other charges individually.

Are scholarships available for bachelor’s degrees in France?

Yes, although major government programmes such as Eiffel are not designed for bachelor’s study.

Bachelor’s students can explore awards such as Émile Boutmy, selected embassy schemes, university scholarships and nationality-specific programmes.

When should I start applying for France scholarships?

Ideally, begin researching scholarships around 9–12 months before your intended intake.

Major scholarship deadlines can occur several months before classes begin, and some require university nomination before the main scholarship application.

Inference

Finding the right scholarship in France in 2026 requires more than searching for one fully funded programme.

Students should compare French government scholarships such as Eiffel, European funding such as Erasmus Mundus, nationality-specific programmes such as Charpak and institutional scholarships from universities including Paris-Saclay and Sciences Po.

The most important practical step is to start early. Admission deadlines and scholarship deadlines are often different, and several major 2026 funding rounds had already closed by September 2026.

Build your university shortlist and scholarship strategy together, check exactly what each award covers and maintain a realistic financial backup plan in case funding is not awarded.

This article is for educational and informational purposes. University admission requirements, tuition fees, visa rules, scholarships, immigration policies and post-study opportunities may change. Students should verify the latest information with the relevant university, government authority, immigration department, embassy or official source before making a decision.

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